2 CRF NEWSLETTER CRF Annual Meeting and Expedition Volume 38, NO.2 established 1973 Tlte 2010 CRF Annual Meeting will be Octo- ber 22-24, 2010, at the Ozark National Scenic Send all articles and reports for submission to: Riverways in Van Buren MO. The Board of Di- William Payne, Editor [email protected] rectors will meet on Friday, October 22. A pub- 11023 N. Auden Circle, Missouri City, TX 77459 lic meeting and poster/map presentation will be on Saturday, October 23 in the large meeting The CRF Newsletter is a quarterly publication of the Cave room at Ozark Riverways headquarters at Van Research Foundation, a non-profit organization incorpo- Buren. Anyone wishing to present powerpoints rated in 1957 under the laws of Kentucky for the purpose of should contact me. A Sunday field trip will fea- furthering research, conservation, and education about caves ture three large springs of the Ozark Riverways and karst. and associated features. Accomodations will in- Newsletter Submissions & Deadlines: clude some research housing, plenty of inexpen- Original articles and photographs are welcome. If intending sive motels, and camping. RV hookups are to jointly submit material to another publication, please in- available. form the CRF editor. Publication cannot be guaranteed, es- A group feed will be at a local barbecue pecially if submitted elsewhere. All material is subject to restaurant. revision unless the author specifically requests otherwise. A week long expedition will follow: objec- For timely publication, please observe these deadlines: tives may include monitoring trips to caves, February issue by December 1 cave survey, other management activities, ridge- May issue by March 1 walking, etc. Canoe trips may be part of these August issue by June I objectives. The week long trip will be centered November issue by September I at the Powder Mill Research Center on the park, about 30 miles north of Van Buren. Some beds Before submitting material, please see publication are available for our distant colleagues while guidelines at: www.cave-research.org camping space is plentiful. NEWSLETTER STAFF: Plane access is best to Springfield, Mis- Content Editor: William Payne, [email protected] souri, although one can also fly into St. Louis Layout/Photos: Ralph Earlandson, [email protected] or Cape Girardeau. Mailing: Bob Hoke, [email protected] For more information on the park go to "'2010 Cave Research Foundation http://www.nps.gov/ozarlindex.ht m. Cave Research Foundation Board of Directors Scott House President - Scott House, [email protected] President Vice President - Charles Fox, [email protected] Cave Research Foundation Treasurer - Bob Hoke, [email protected] 1606 Luce St. Secretary - Bernie Szukalski, [email protected] Cape Girardeau MO 63701 Hamilton Valley Director - Pat Kambesis (573) 651-3782 George Crothers, Joel Despain, Joyce Hoffinaster, John Lovaas, Steve Ormeroid, Pat Seiser, Diana Tomchick Operations Council Barbe Barker (Guadalupes), Mick Sutton (Ozarks), Pat Helton & Bruce Rogers (Lava Beds), Dave West (Eastern), John Tinsley (Sequoia/Kings Canyon) For information about tlte CRF contact: Scott House 1606 Luce St. Cover Photo Cape Girardeau, MO 63701-5208 Scott House took this photo of various survey phone 573-651-3782 gear laid out on a table at the CRF hut at Carls- [email protected] bad Caverns. The gear includes both a tape and Donations to CRF should be sent to: a laser Disto for measuring distances, as well as Bob Hoke, CRF Treasurer a combination compass and c1ino. Also in this 6304 Kaybro St. arrangement are two CRF Annual Reports and a Laurel, MD 20707-2621 sketch of the Carlsbad Cavern Main Corridor. [email protected] 3 Gravestone Added for Former Cave Guide By: Gina Kinslow The following article appeared in the February Slash and that she had been decorating his grave 25,2010 Glasgow Daily Times and is reprinted since she was a little girl, because he is buried here with permission. in the Curd family cemetery with her auntie, Josie. " GLASGOW - Ed Bishop's grave used to be The woman who came forward during the marked by a simple field stone, but he now has B lack History Month program eight years ago, a proper gravestone thanks to contributions was Elnora Curd Harriford, of Smiths Grove. made to the Cave Research Foundation. "He was mv uncle by marriage, My dad's On Wednesday afternoon employees with sister was his first wife," Harriford said during Borders Monument set gravestones for Bishop, a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon. his first wife. Josie. and their infant daughter, Harriford had planned to be there Wednesday Chauncey, in a small private cemetery off Ky. when the new gravestones were set, but the 90 West outside of Glasgow. cold, snowy weather kept her from attending. "Ed was one of the better known Mammoth She recalled asking the park ranger follow- Cave guides. He was an African-American. He ing the Black History Month program how she was the grand-nephew of Stephen Bishop, the could get a copy of the picture that had been famous cave guide, and he started guiding in used in the program, Mammoth Cave in 1886 and continued to guide "} said, 'He was married to my daddy's sis- until about 1917," said Joy Lyons, chiefofpro- ter, '" she said. gram services at Mammoth Cave National Park. While Lyons refers to the cemetery as the "He was also the guide who was assigned to Curd Family Cemetery, Harriford says it's real Max Kemper, (who) was a German cartographer name is Slaughter Place Cemetery because a who came to Mammoth Cave in 1908 and, to- family with the last name of Slaughter once gether with Ed Bishop, they explored the cave owned the property where the cemetery is lo- and created \\'hat is called the Kemper map. cated. It is near Harlow's Chapel Baptist which was the first really good, accurate map of Church, but Harriford doesn't think her uncle the entire known cave systern." was a member of the church. According to Mammoth Cave National "I think they had a church over there at Park's Web site, a place known as Bishop's Pit Mammoth Cave. I imagined that Ed joined that on the Violet City Lantern route, is named in church, but he came from Edmonton. He could honor of Bishop, and was one of the areas he have belonged to a church in Edmonton." discovered with Kemper in 1908. Harriford never knew Bishop. Bishop left the Mammoth Cave area, after "But my older brothers and sisters knew living nearby for more than 30 years with his him," she said. "} was the youngest of 12 chil- four children to Rock Island, III., and worked dren. My dad was his wife's baby brother. He with the railroad for a period of time. He later was a kind-hearted man. He was a good man. moved to Indianapolis and worked as a janitor My family always thought well.of him." . in a government building. A photo of Bishop and hiS first wife, JOSIe, He was living in Indianapolis when he died was placed on the new gravestone Wednesday. in 1931. Bishop married twice following his first "Because of my interest in Mammoth Cave's wife's death. Harriford said her family isn't African-American history I liked knowing where sure of the cause of Josie Bishop's death, but the guys wound up. So I always thought Ed believes she may have had tuberculosis. Bishop had been buried somewhere around Indi- Other family members are also buried in the anapolis since he died there," Lyons said. "I cemetery, including Ed Bishop's mother, Lave- found out later at a Black History Month pro- nia, and his brother, Skyler, among others, gram that we did at Barren County High School. More information on Bishop and other early Chuck DeCroix and I were doing a program and Mammoth Cave tour guides can be found by vis- a woman came up after the program and said iting the Mammoth Cave National Park Web site that she had seen a picture of her uncle in the at http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm . program, in the slide program, and it wound up being Ed Bishop, She said he was buried at 4 East to West: In and With the Legends By: Scott House

Everyone is now glad to have the harbingers yours truly was one of three who were less than of spring back after what virtually everyone excited about going head first into crawlways. would agree has been a wretched winter. The But no reptile manifested itself and that cave spring peepers have started, a snake was spot- was finished as well. The annual Missouri Natu- ted, and the daffodils are poking their heads out ral Resources Conference gave us a chance to of what was recently deep snow. Cave work was network with agency folks from all over the pretty much hit or miss this winter, with more state. Jeff "Spike" Crews and I presented on opportunities missed than hit. And, sadly, it was CRF's GIS work in Perry County, Missouri, another bad winter for the bats as the insidious while Mick Sutton gave a paper on aquatic White Nose Syndrome continues its devastating stream census results. Another survey trip in- march. volved some mapping in a couple of stream Nonetheless things were busy. For my part, I caves where hope springs eternal that the thing have been here and there mixing CRF manage- might just open up. And hiking through the ment work with CRF contracting work and CRF woods with Spike and Dan Lamping on a rare cave work. The latter is easily the most pleasur- sunny day in the winter reminds us of what is able. good in caving - it's the camaraderie more than In the Ozarks: In early December we had a the caves. nice work trip to Buffalo National River where Mammoth Cave: It is always great to survey we continued to update the new BUFF cave da- in the legendary Mammoth Cave, where the tabase and managed to get a few small caves walls echo the history. On a trip with Ed Klaus- mapped as well. Later in December came a good ner, Rick Olson, and Eli Winkler we surveyed a survey trip in Ozark National Scenic Riverways bit more of a long lost passage known to Native where nine caves were completely surveyed and Americans but not visited since. Apparently a a tenth was continued. The last to be surveyed tight spot stopped Max Kaempcr and a further was the eponymous Rattlesnake Cave, where one stopped me. But the revealing discoveries that are made right ill historic Mammoth always gives us cause to pause. Another trip was short but instructional and featured surveying with Ed, Charles Fox, and the indomitable Roger Brucker. Now here is a story unto itself. While three of us are bemoaning the fate of crawling around as we approach (or are departing from) the age of 60, up chirps a cheerful voice from the darkness behind: "Well, I'm eighty!" The bemoaning stopped. Caving with Roger means you always keep an ear tilted for the occasional joke while also priming the pump for a story. Or you can get a fascinating lecture on the history

Lell: A sketch of the Morrison Entrance by Roger Brucker. Right: Roger Brucker surveying in Mammoth Cave. Photo by £ d K /Wisner, 5 of CRF and cave science. The primer this time ing her a life that we can all believe in. While was the mention of stylolites and Roger ex- Stephen is interesting, you will feel that you pounded on the theories of their development. actually know Charlotte, and you can also un- Fascinating. Later in the expedition a crew went derstand why Roger dedicated the book to his to Morrison Cave entrance to tie the survey to a wife Lynn. new GPS location. Roger called upon his well of Carlsbad Caverns Mapping Trip: Shrug- memory to draw up a sketch map showing the ging off the dreary winter a group of the Ozark relationship of the entrance to the interior fea- CRF contingent got an opportunity to do some tures. The sketch was good by anyone's stan- large cave sketching/surveying in Carlsbad Cav- dards; that it was based on a 30 year old mem- erns. Note: the park's goal is to create a series ory is remarkable. And I have been reading of detailed maps to replace the CRF fo lio of the Roger's new book on Stephen Bishop (Grand, 1980's, which was excellent for its time. Having Gloomy, and Peculiar), which at first I was only made arrangements with the park, Andy Free, casually interested in. But it is a fine book and Joe Williams, and I made the long drive (well, deserves wide readership. Not because it has Andy drove - I read) into warmer climes where anything to do with caves; the allure for me is we met Kyle Rybacki, who is working on his Roger's ability to make an obscure persona masters at NM Tech. Leaving dreary weather we (Charlotte Bishop) the main character and giv- relished the sunny warm days - at least until it

RATTLESNAKE CAVE Ozark National Scenic RivelWays Shannon County, Missouri SHN.609

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,- 6 snowed. We surveyed for five days down the ess. Kyle left after three days but Stan Allison Main Corridor, a challenge at best, but a treat helped us out on the last day. There is nothing for us all. We did roving interpretation with the boring about surveying a huge tourist trail; just visitors as well (a condition of being visible trying to fun multiple accurate loops while from the trail) who were fascinated by the proc- avoiding delicate areas and infrastructure is enough to engage a crc\v - not to ment ion de- tailed sketching and profile work. And who wouldn't want to be in the main passage of the most famous cave in the world. At the end of our five days we were happy with the results but could have spent an additional day working near the Iceberg Rock. We saw lots of other CRF folks: Lois Manno, her daughters, and Jimmie Worrell were doing restoration in the Left Hand Tunnel, while Pat Kambesis and Mike Lace came for a week to finish up Slaughter Canyon Cave and continue their fine work down in the King's Palace and Queen's Chamber. Pat showed off their draft of the Big Room, which is a pretty amazing piece of "'ork. During the week we found time to attend a meeting called by Lincoln National Forest to discuss problems with cave management. About 30 folks were in attendance, including a bunch of familiar folks. It's always a pleasure to see CRF folks in other places. All in attendance were at least in agreement that the NF needs to get a cave management person in position to not only protect the resource but also to manage the recreati0nal aspects of caving in [he Forest. Andy Free gets ready /0 record data as Joe Wil- And nov •.' we are back in Missouri, where the liams reads ,he instruments in Carlsbad Cavern. spring is looking very busy and the summer Photo by SCali HOllse. promises to be warm.

I REGIONAL EXPEDITION REPORTS I Cave Research Foundation at Lava Beds, October 7-20, 2009 By: Bruce Rogers & Pat Helton, CRF Lava Beds Operations Managers, and Brian "Beej" Hall

Background: pedition all in one giant blowout. Note: In In October of 2006, Cave Research Founda- concert with informal CRF-Lava Beds Ops Area tion held its annual national meeting at Lava policy, newly found caves will only be men- Beds National Monument. The meeting and tioned here by initials to protect their fragile subsequent field trip were deemed a great suc- contents from impact until management plans cess. CRF President Scott House announced for their visitation arc formulated. that under his administration the somewhat A lot of sleep was lost during [he year as we moribund National Expeditions theme was being decided to offer a full meal plan since there was re-activated, and we were asked to arrange a no viable alternative at Lava Beds. We also set National Expedition back to Lava Beds. Since a limit of 30 people since we kne\v that number we'd only taken the reins a few hours before, we would be straining the limit of the Research said we'd think about it. Bern Szukalski ar- Center to provide sleeping space. Pat put an ranged such an expedition out to the center of enormous amount of time into pricing out foods the Mojave National Preserve the following and sundries so we would have a healthful and spring, and the next National Expedition was varied menu to offer participants at minimal held at Carlsbad Caverns National Park area in cost. fall of 2008. In the meantime we agreed to host So it was that our home began to look a lot the 2009 CRF Columbus Day Expedition, the like a mini-Costeo warehouse in the preceding CRF Annual Meeting, and the CRF National Ex- months with piles of big box foods and supplies; 7 Rich Steiger's truck had a decidedly lower pro- 292 feet along walking passage and delicately file once we loaded all the supplies aboard for skirting several car-sized basalt boulders sup- the trip north. ported by melon-sized rocks. Many more people arrived on Friday, and the Wednesday. Oct. 7: remainder arrived on Saturday. In all, there On Wednesday. October 7. Rich Steiger, Pat were 31 people in attendance over the ten-day Helton. & Bruce Rogers loaded approximately a combined expedition. half ton of supplies into Steiger's truck and managed to clear Fremont by 2:20 PM after a Saturday, Oet. 10: la5t-111 inutc stop at the pharmacy and a further After a filling breakfast, the CRF crew split stop in Concord to pick up medical supplies; the into several parties. Matt Leissring, Heather crew arrived in Red Bluff at 5:30 PM. After McDonald. Liz Wolff. and Jim Wolff returned to dinner and a quick shopping spree at Food finish off the Birds Head survey in Hercules Maxx. the truck was completely packed full and Leg Cave. Scott House, Diana Tomchick, Joke the trio arrived at the Lava Beds Research Cen- Vansweevelt, . and Bruce Rogers left ter (RC) at about 11 :45 PM. A quiek unpack fol- to complete the F survey in Juniper Cave. After lo\ved and all were asleep in their stocking caps some time, Joke and Bruce were summoned from by 2 AM. the party by Matt and Heather, who had finished their survey. This party entered yet another ob- Thursdav, Oct. 8: vious yet unexplored cave passage named The crew slept in until 8 AM. and then be- T.F. Following that, Matt and Heather returned gan rearranging furniture and lab equip- to the Wabbit section of Sentinel Cave to com- ment. After rebuilding the new legal-sized file plete sketching of the mazy passages while Joke cabinet. said unit was installed in the Lab and Bruce returned to the Juniper Cave survey closet. NPS Rangers Shane Fryer and Joe Smith work. stopped by with a carload of chairs and tables, Meanwhile, Brian "Beef' Hall took Ed Bo- visited a short time, and then left for "other du- brow, Kaedean Doppelmayr, and John Tinsley ties as assigned." The enormous amount of sup- into The Basement of Sentinel Cave. Bill plies were unpacked, sorted, and squirreled Broeckel. Judy Broeckel, and Rich Steiger left away for the upcoming expedition. Virginia and for the upper reaches of the Valentine flow in Ed Bobrow arrived at about 2:30 PM and parked Modoc National Forest to complete work on their 36-foot-long travel trailer on West Pad Q.H. Cave. Despite rumors that Broeckel tossed # 1. More work was done arranging the Lab for a piece of basalt at Rich to gain his attention, it maximum utilization, including temporary and seems that Rich just naturally attracted yet an- very careful relocation of the NPS's newly- other piece of the cave ceiling down upon his acquired biological refrigerator and fume hood shoulders, confirming reports of his magnetic outside near the BBQ area (with permission personality. For their part, Peri and Bill Frantz from the Resource Manager). Kaedean Doppcl- continued their photomonitoring project work- mayr and Marc Hasbrouck drove in at 5:30 PM ing in Symbol Bridge and Big Painted and unpacked. A simple dinner of pasta & Cave. Some apparently new graffiti was noted sauce, green and three bean salads, French among the rupestrian etchings and further in- bread. triple berry pie, and brownies was pre- spection of older photographs will be scoured to pared and consumed at 6 PM. Eventually see if it is, indeed, new. Heather McDonald and Matt Leissring arrived at In the meantime, Virginia and Pat kept the nearly midnight. Home Fires burning, cleaning up the debris field Frid3V, Oct. 9: left by departing cavers. After Scott and Diana Matt, Heather, and Kaedean set out about 9 left Juniper Cave to return to the brightly AM to spend some time surveying in Hercules cleaned RC, Joke and Bruce remained to finish Leg Cave between the Unga-dunga Entrance profiles and cross sections and survey a short skylight and the Hercules Leg-Juniper crawlway side passage. As they walked down Cave Loop connection. The balance of the crew spent quite Road. the met Heather and Matt returning from a bit of time doing all sorts of chores. Pat and their survey trip. A session of Wabbit Ears Rich spent more time revising the Inventory Cavers photographs were taken by Joke, then all form. Bruce on mapping planning, and the bal- returned to dinner. In all, a total of a "hare" ance of the crew working on more menu plan. over 1,067 feet of passage was surveyed in all ning and set-up. Bill Devereaux arrived at caves entered on Saturday. about 3 PM; Scott and Patti House, after driving On the return trip from The Basement. cross-country from Missouri, pulled in at about Kaedean unfortunately twisted her ankle on the 4 PM. The Hercules Leg Cave survey party re- developed visitor trail just past the mid-cave turned at 4:30 PM, as suggested, after surveying steel stairs at The Sentinel (of all places). Af- 8 ter a "Group Medical Evaluation," Protection ing. Unfortunately the cave beat them back as Ranger Travis Chronister was called in for an more passage was found. NPS Incident Report and then John Tinsley vol- Mary Rose led Bern Szukalski, Pat Seiser, and unteered to drive Kaedean and Marc Hasbrouck Jim Wolff out north of Valentine Cave to look up to the ER at the County Hospital in Klamath for rumored caves. The crew started with a Falls. After a diagnosis of a badly sprained an- photo shoot in Valentine Cave, then headed kle and, fortunately, nothing being broken, the north for about a quarter mile past Cute Little crew eventually returned well past mid- Cave and Miserable Little Cave. Finally Beej night. On the way back, they stopped to assist found a little hole that led into a low crawlway three inebriated local Good 01' Boys whose that led further into a series of pancake rooms truck had magically left the road and partially that ran in two directions. After confirming, submerged itself in a drainage canal. The indeed, the cave continued past 40 feet in driver, with a broken femur, was passed on to a length, a recon card was filled out; the cave was local First Responder who also was just arriving named L.B. Cave for its reduced ceiling height on scene. and atmospheric exhalations, and the group re- luctantly turned their backs on this apparently Sundav. Oct. II: new cave. The party was sighted several miles The Assembled Masses arose early, dined, away by the sun glinting off their big smiles. and geared up for yet another day of Plumbing the Depths of the Volcano. While the CRF LASE - CONT. ON P, 10 Board and Ops Managers congregated for their annual meeting, Joke, Mary Rose, and Bill D. headed for Juniper Cave to complete investigat- Next page, clockwise from upper left: ing several small leads near the Lower Entrance Back from a successful cave hunt: (1. to r.): of the cave. After completing Recon Cards on Brian "Beej" Hall, Ed Bobrow, Jim Wolff, Mary this opening, named Juniper Grotto, the crew Rose, and Marc Hasbrouck. Bern Szukalski moved on to the T.F. passage and began their photo. survey. A bit less than 260 feet of passage was logged. Marc Hasbrouck, Jim Wolff, and Ed Bobrow The fie Id crews were warned to camp lete pose for Bern Szukalski at another new cave their work and be back at the RC by 5 PM at the ,found while hiking ill the Valentine flow in the latest. Yummy's Cowboy Cuisine BBQ, a Monument. highly-recommended caterer from a nearby Even lava tubes look good with enough light as town, pulled into the RC parking lot at 4:20 PM evidenced by this shot of Mary Rose in Valen- and started setting up for the banquet almost tine Cave done by Bern Szukalski. immediately (thus the admonition for all person- nel to return by 5 PM at the latest). All turned Karen Willmes really enjoys ambling down the to and managed to make a serious dent in the colorful passages of T. Cave as one can clearly carrot slaw, bacon green beans, corn bread, see in this Bern Szukalski photo. BBQ chicken and beef, and assorted spice cake Bob Hoke takes a breather from surveying in T. and crisp desserts. After dinner Scott House Cave. Every time it seemed that the cave would presented a very surprised Pat Helton, Bill end, another passage opened up and demand sur- Broeckel, and Ed Bobrow with CRF Fellow- veying. Note the white- and ocher-colored sec- ships. Virginia Bobrow, Brian "Beej" Hall, ondary mineralization crusts, all formed along Heather McDonald and Matt Leissring were pre- cooling cracks in the basalt tube lining. Bern sented with Certificates of Merit for outstanding Szukalski photo. service to the CRF Lava Beds Operations Area. After engaging discussion and a musical Joke Vansweevedt takes notes as Brian interlude, nearly all were in bed by II PM. "Beej" Hall in the background prepares the next survey station in Gail Cave. Bruce Rogers Mondav, Oct. 12: photo. The crew was up early, impatient to head to the field. Scott House led Bob Hoke, John Lovass, At lunch time in Juniper Cave, (I. to r.) Scott Diana Tomchick, Bill Devereaux, Charles Fox, House (MO), Mary Rose (CA), Diana Tomchick Karen Willmes, and Dave West into T. Cave to (TX), and Joke Vansweevelt (CA) take a break complete the initial survey and continue on to amid the flotsam of cave surveying. Bruce one of the adjacent passages. That trip was a Rogers photo. grand Pennsylvania-Maryland-Missouri reunion Scott House thumbs the notes while Bob Hoke trip into this cave that these folks started sur- stands ready for the next shot in T. Cave. Bern veying during the 2006 CRF Annual meet- Szukalski photo.

10 LASE - CaNT. FROM P. 8 Late in the evening, Scott House walked back to his RV but tripped over a footstool- Joke Vansweevelt led Liz Wolff, Bill Frantz, sized boulder. With a large ice pack and hi"hb Pat Seiser, and Rich Steiger into T.F. pas- hopes for trivial injury, Scott retired for the sage. An overland survey from an adjacent pre- day. viously surveyed cave passage was completed Wednesday.OCI.14: across Cave Loop to tie this cave into the The day started with Scott's shoulder swol- known cave locations. The survey progressed len and causing him a great deal of pain. Ac- smoothly as Joke did her first Lava Beds cave cordingly, we made a run back up to the NPS survey ... despite all the Monday Morning Admin office to file another accident report as Quarterbacking from the other participants. At per NPS protocol. After that, a large crew con- about 3 PM, the Delivery Man in a bright green sIstIng of Dave West, Karen Willmes. Ed Bo- hardhat came into the cave with lemonade and brow, Rich Steiger, Bill Devereaux, and Pal cookies for the poor exhausted troglodytes. The Seiser again went out to Juniper Cave. Break- ~rew finally left the cave at about 6 PM, hurry- ing into twin teams, they surveyed near Iv I 000 Ing back to the RC for dinner under lowering feet of passage around the Petroglyph E~- ' skies. A total of just over 1337 feet of passage trance. In between a multitude of rainbows was surveyed. Scott and Charles Fox headed north to a cli~ic In the meantime, John Tinsley took Patti in Klamath Falls and found that Scott had bad Iv House out to check on the ice in Skull Ice Cave bruised his shoulder and possibly pulled a few- and a quick look at Mammoth Crater, then off to ligaments. Returning, the two, plus Patti G lass Mountain in the later afternoon. John House, drove to the Visitor Center gift shop to also did a short road recon along Gold Diggers support the Natural History Association. After Pass Road, heading west to the several roads that, they went for an Elfin Ramble up Schon- leading to the large caves along the east base of chm Butte and attempted to become airborne Mount Dome. Again, Pat, Virginia, Kaedean, with the breezy environs. The trait mileaue siull Peri, and Bruce remained back at the RC clean- o 0 was more or less correct in stating the trail was ing, prepping for dinner, and doing a great deal 1.4 miles long. . 1 mile up, 0.4 miles down. of paper work. Beej and Joke returned to the chimneys lead- A huge burrito dinner with multiple des- ing to The Basement in Sentinel Cave. Thev serts, attended by Rangers Joe and Jenn Smith, spent the entire day surveying passages leading left nearly everyone satiated. Diana Tomchick off the chimneys, including one passage with left for Reno and her return flight to Dallas the clinking "musical" floor plates they named The following morning. Liz and Jim Wolff left for Music Room. home very shortly thereafter. Later in the eve- Meanwhile Peri and Bill Frantz spent part or ning Joe Smith gave a Park slideshow and talk the morning setting up more details with their detailing the many features of the Park present photomonitoring project. After that, Peri spent on the opposite side of the cave ceilings (that's nearly all day working of their archives in the "on the surface"); everyone was impressed and Resource Management office. Bill then drove thoroughly enjoyed his presentation. up to Juniper Cave and joined the survey there Tuesday. Ocl. 13: A hard-earned total of 1535.2 feet of po'ssa"e . Off to a slow start, the Assembled Masses was logged in. ~ again sallied forth into the rocky fields of the Thursday. Oct. 15: Modoc Lava Beds. A crew consisting of Dave All arose early ... Bob Hoke earlier than W., Karen W., Rich S., and Bill Devereaux anyone else so he could drive to Portland and picked up the survey in Juniper Cave. Scott pick up his wife and spend an additional 10 House, Charles Fox, Bernie Szukalski, and Bob days touring that state. After breakfast with a Hoke also worked in an adjacent part of the combined Ozark Riverways-Lava Beds flavor a cave. That portion of the cave consisted of sev- fairly large group returned to T. Cave. Part eral sub-parallel, intersecting passages with ~r the crew--Dave, Karen, Bill D., Charles, and Ed many connections, all leading up towards both --returned to the Halls of T. Cave. Kaedean the Petroglyph and Swallet Entrances. Mean- Marc, Peri, and Bill F. headed out, first to the while, Beej, Mary R., Joke, and Pat Seiser re- Merrill Fabric store, then homeward by late turned to The Basement in Sentinel Cave to morning. Concurrently, a smaller segment of compl."te the lowest major passage in this deep, the T. Cave area team spent the day photograph- occasIOnal Ice cave. In all, just a few inches IJ1g and GPS.lng the score or so of cave en- shy of 1,604 feet of passage was committed to trances they'd found. Composed of Patti, Scott, field survey books on Tuesday. and Rich along with their Ozark dogs, Team I 1 Dog spent a useful day running between the VISit. A quart-sized plastic tub with a register various caves in that area. There was a com- and assorted debris were found and cleaned ment heard about the cavers popping up from up. Joke then managed to reptilate into several many cave entrances resembling a grand scale tiny passages that were formerly considered im- version of Whack-A-Mole' About 700 feet of passable and did a quick survey that added passage was surveyed. about 26 feet of "new" passage. After cleaning Joke and Beej led Bruce and Pat out to the up a fairly large amount of broken glass and top of Cave Loop and started a survey into Gail general debris, they then returned to the RC. Cave. named after a former Superintendent's Salurday, Oct. 17: wife. Over 150 feet of entrance trench were de- Pat Seiser left at an obscenely early hour, tailed with highlights of liverworts in the north headed for Oregon to visit family. Scott and end and much reindeer moss and lichen sur- Patti House, with the two dogs, headed north to rounding the entrance itself at the south end of Oregon as well. Charles Fox left for a leisurely the trench. The first shot into the cave proved trip back to Reno and a flight back to the East so magnetically hot that it had to be abandoned Coast on Sunday morning. Bill Devereaux, after finding 17-degree variances during a 2- Karen Willmes, and Dave west returned to T. foot repositioning of the compass. After fool- Cave area to finish off a short segment of pas- ing around with highly variable magnetic signa- sage, returning just past mid-day. They then ture rocks seemingly forever. the crew contin- looked over the area surrounding Capt. .lack's ued into the cave. Somewhat more than 160 Cave in the Stronghold until dinnertime. The feet of cave was surveyed to a major roof col- balance of the crew spent a useful morning lapse and a of silica speleothems. cleaning, packing, disbursing surplus cooked All returned from their respective cave sur- foodstuffs, and generally sweeping the debris vey sites by about 6 PM, and overate and out of the RC . .lake and Beej left at lunchtime, swapped cave stories. stopping to inspect sites of the 1873 Modoc War Fridav, Oct. 16: along their route out of the Monument. Bill Again the Troops returned to thc T. Cave Devereaux finally left nearly at dinnertime after area to continuc surveying. Every time someone completing paperwork and having an operations said it looks like a wrap for the survey. some discussion with Pat and Bruce. one looked past, then crawled gently over a Sunday, Oct. 18: block of breakdown and found more large, low Karen Willmes and Dave West left very, passage and rooms. Eventually hunger got the very early for their flight out of Klamath upper hand and all returned to the RC after add- Falls. After a somewhat slow start, the Bo- ing nearly 110 feet of cave passage length and brows, Rich Steiger, Pat Helton, and Bruce connecting survey. Beej and Joke returned to Rogers discussed the Lava Beds philosophy, The Catacombs. mak ing a nearly 90% of passage

Lefi: A fter consuming far too much BBQ, the pace relaxed on Saturday with conversation and music at the center of attention. Liz Wolff (recorder), Bill Frantz (strings), and John Tinsley (banjo) tune up. Bruce Rogers photo.

Righi: Some of the informal, but necessary, administrative work performed at the National Expedi- tion was undertaken by \vhat is commonly known as The Kitchen Cabinet. Here, (clockwise from left) Karen Willmes. Joyce Hoffmaster, Charles Fox, and Bob Hoke mull over weighty issues in the Lava Beds Research Center kitchen after too much dinner. Bruce Rogers photo. 12 past trips, and historical episodes that need re- tion was a huge success. We (31 CRF cavers) cording. A return trip to Juniper Cave was completed 8,039 feet of surveyed passage, com- made to record the newly discovered J.D. How- pleted survey for three major cave maps, made ard sign in the Swallet Entrance for later deci- great progress on the inventory efforts, and had phering with appropriate computer software. A some great interaction between our Lava Beds stop was also made to record and regulars and our CRF visitors from across the relative humidity in Gail Cave. The group re- country. It was a great learning experience for treated from Juniper Cave as lightning began all of us as we put in 2,582 hours (that's more striking several nearby cinder cones. After re- than 322 person-days!!!) of volunteer work for turning the specimen refrigerator and fume hood the Monument. Several score bagels, innumer- to the lab, a final dinner to mop up the leftovers able numbers of tablespoons of peanut butter, completed this wind-down day. and approximately four square feet of apple and peach crisp gave their all over the length of the Monday, Oct. 19: expedition. After another rainy start, the Bobrows pulled out in early afternoon. Pat, Rich, and List of participants: Bruce continued pecking away at the paper Throughout the ten days, there were 3 I peo- mountain occupying the front room of the RC ple who attended and participated in the expedi- and reorganizing the CRF files. A late after- tions. We thank them all for their incredible noon visit \vas made to Shane Fryer for last assistance and cooperation! Listed alphabeti- minute up-dates, to Dave Larson to pass on cally, they are: Ed Bobrow, Virginia Bobrow, medical forms, and to Terry Harris to make sure Bill Broeckel, Judy Broeckel, Bill Devereaux, no un-claimed bodies were left in the RC. Kaedean Doppelmayr, Charles Fox, Bill Frantz, Peri Frantz, Brian "Beef' Jorgensen Hall, Marc Tuesday, Oct. 20: Hasbrouck, Pat Helton, Joyce Hoffmaster, Bob After a semi-late start, the personal gear was Hoke, Scott House, Patti House, Matt Leissring, loaded, the RC c leaned top to bottom, a cour- John Lovaas, Heather MacDonald, Bruce tesy call made to the Monument staff, and Rogers, Mary Rose, Pat Seiser, Rich Steiger, Steiger, Helton, and Rogers left at mid-day. Bernie Szukalski, John Tinsley, Diana Tom. Conclusion: chick, Joke Vansweevelt, Dave West, Karen In short, the October CRF National Expedi- Willmes, Jim Wolff, and Liz Wolff.

Ozark Trips, October - December 2009 By: Mick Sutton, with information and some text from Scott House, Jim Cooley, Jeff Bartlett and Shawn Williams.

October at Ozark Operations was taken up ping of Deer Cave, Mulu National Park in Ma- mainly by office work. During this time, our laysian Borneo. Deer Cave has one of the larg- cost-share agreement with Mark Twain National est passages known, and is home to an estimated Forest (MTNF) was updated, although funding 2 million wrinkle-lipped bats. for the coming fiscal year was not at that time October 2: settled. In November, we welcomed MTNF's There was a trip to Bliss Campi Outflow new hydrologist Kelly Whitsett - Kelly has Cave (MTNF, Oregon County) to follow up a taken over liaison duties for cave-related mat- report from a local caver of a bat kill. Natu- ters, including CRF's projects. In January, rally, in the era of White Nose Syndrome this MTNF announced that, following new US Fish report had raised significant concern. The wet- and Wildlife Service guidelines, there will be a suit party consisting of Jim Cooley, Pic blanket closure of all caves through March. In Walenta, Shelly Field and Max White counted a mid February, the MTNF budget was finally re- total of 1,435 badly decomposed bat carcasses solved, and the CRF agreement was funded in in widely distributed clusters throughout the full - however, taking account of the new re- cave's main stream passage. stricted dates for field-work, the phase It is not possible to determine a cause of will run through the end of the calendar year death, but WNS seems unlikely since the nearest rather than through September 30 to allow extra reported cases of the latter are still several time for files and specimen identification work. states away, and Bliss Camp has not been sub- Your correspondent and Sue Hagan spent a ject to extensive human visitat ion. There is a good deal of November and December on vaca- previous CRF report of a pipistrelle kill in the tion from Ozark matters, assisting in the map- same passage, and although the numbers here 13 were much lower, the most likely cause in both On Thanksgiving Day, the crew first went to cases is high water. The passage is only a few Little Hurricane Creek, where Jim and Shawn feet above normal river level on the Eleven discovered Thanksgiving Cave, with two ob- Point River, and flooding to the ceiling occurs, scure entrances. The next day, November 27, the Even without that high of a flood, only a small crew did some ridge-walking in Sisco Hollow, rise of the river would seal both entrances to the obtained a GPS location for Sisco Hollow Cave, passage, entrapping any bats inside, which if at and did some preliminary assessment of Dead the wrong time (e.g., during spring emergence) Beetle Cave - one of three new caves earlier could result in starvation. What was not previ- reported by Randy Long (MTNF). They also ously kno\\'n was that fairly large numbers of found a small, new neighboring cave, Dead Bee- colonial bats were evidently using this cave and tle Cave Annex (32 ft. long). The other caves in exposing themselves to the flooding risk. Coo- the cluster - Canyon Cave and Middle Cave - ley comments that "observed carcasses were were found to be two entrances to one cave. consistent with the March] 7-19,2008 catastro- Shawn found that the cave also included a con- phic flooding of the Eleven Point River, a 100- tinuing, well-decorated wet stream passage. year event ... during which the river crested at The next day, the same crew minus Ken in- over 21 feet .... which crest would be at least 15 ventoried Thanksgiving Cave, finding that it feet above the Outflow entrance." A follow-up housed stygobitic crayfish. They also invento- trip is planned to collect skulls for identifica- ried nev.r1y rediscovered Little Hurricane Creek tion. Thanks to MTNF staff Angie Trombley Cave, which contains a plethora of modern arti- and Kevin Cox for providing transportation to facts. They then returned to Sisco Hollow, the cave. where Shawn, Craig, Cyle and Mike did a par- tial inventory of Canyon Cave. Past use of the November 7-8: cave by bears was extensive as indicated by A large crew- Scott House, Jon Beard, Roy bear beds and claw marks. Gold, Bob Taylor, Max White, Jason Hardiger and Josh Hafner - worked at Ozark National December 5-6: Scenic Riverways. At Powder Mill, Jon and a There was a trip to Buffalo National River few others checked the gate at Bluff Cave, (BNR), Arkansas. Scott House, Jeff Bridgman, which was not disturbed, and then headed up Jared Sickles, Bob Taylor and Roy. Gold mapped river. They installed a sign mount at Akers and located two small caves - Musical Flute and Ferry, and part of the group checked Smokeho]e Banded Rock Caves, and discovered and mapped Cave for any further disturbance. Next stop was a new small cave nearby. They also determined Devils Well, where they discovered that a ton of where four other small caves are not. Jeff Bart- gravel had covered the viewing platform. They lett, Kay]a New, Chad Holderfield and Mike cleaned enough of the gravel off so that the wa- Patton began mapping the rather chilly main ter could drain. They went on to Wallace Cave stream passage of Copperhead Cave for a total where they monitored critters and traffic and of 600 ft. Chad and Kayla were able to pass a also picked up broken glass from the gravel ma- tight squeeze which leads to ongoing upstream trix. The next day, Scott and Josh monitored passage beyond the end of the old map. The next and photographed Jug Cave. day Jeff, Chad and Mike returned to Copperhead where they mapped a meander loop and then November 25-28: continued the trunk survey a bit farther. A large, mostly Kansas City-based crew - Jim Cooley, Pic Walenta, Shawn Williams, Cyle December 19-21: Riggs, Craig Hines, Chad Hines, Mike Smoker, Two parties checked some archeo logical Ken Grush and Rengin Firat - spent Thanksgiv- leads along the Jacks Fork near Rymer Landing ing working on the MTNF in Oregon County. On (ONSR, Shannon County). Scott House, Joe November 25, there was a return trip to Bliss Williams and Jim Cooley went upstream and lo- Camp/Outflow Cave to collect skull samples cated and mapped Spider Cave and Rymer Ranch from the bat kill, Jim, Pic, Ken and Cyle col- Cave #2, which had a big entrance and signs of lected the samples. Flooding since the October 2 cultural use. Apparently it was once known as trip had reduced the number of visible car- Old Rymers Cave. They mapped this 200 footer casses, but the flooding had evidently not re- and moved on. They located the two Alcove sulted in further mortality. Bill Elliott and Caves, one of which had two entrances, along Derek Shiels of the Missouri Department of with Alcove Shelter. This was a nice little com- Conservation determined that of the 24 skulls plex, but required some detailed sketching. collected, II were eastern pipistrelles and ]3 Downstream from Rymers, Kyle Rybacki, Amy were Myat!s sp., either little brown bats or Indi- Crews, and Shawn Wi]liams surveyed Capricorn ana bats. Cave, Sandy Tops Cave, and Chapel View Cave, 14 all less than 100 ft. long. were very high, the \vaterfall series was 1110st The next day, the same group plus Jeff impressive, and the water was cold. A series of Crews went to McCubbin Hollow Cave. Kyle, survey shots above the water dO\linstream of the Jeff, and Amy surveyed the left low continua- Throne Room, as well as the upper bypass up- tion, which more or less ended. They then strug- stream of it, kept everyone out of the water for gled to do a profile along the main section. The short stretches. They continued the trunk survey other crew surveyed further into the cave from for 18 shots then worked back toward the the lower entrance. This continued to a stream Throne Room via the upper bypass and closed a and ended in other directions. They surveyed an loop. They then resumed the upstream survey uppcr tube above the stream; the tube eventually line for another 8 shots. Meanwhile, Chaz Angle ended, probably at the hillside. Shawn checked obtained GPS locations for Popcorn Pit, Cork- the stream, which continued, albeit low and screw Cave and some other features. delicate. Shawn and Jim then spent time photo- The next day, Jeff, Chad and Sarah together graphing a millipede which appeared to be with Mike Patton and Luke Patton returned to Chaetaspis sp., a genus represented in very few Copperhead Cave and extended the upstream Missouri caves. More remains to be done. survey for another 460 f1. - surveying was not On December 21, Scott, Jim and Joe re- quite as cold and wet as the previous day. The turned to Rymer Landing and mapped Rattle- cave is now more than 2,000 ft. long, and the snake Cave. No rattlesnakes were home, and the old map is close to being replaced. survey went smoothly enough - one of the t\','o Decem ber 31: passages led out to another nice sized entrance Jim Cooley, Pic Walenta, Jerry Cindric, Colt on the bluff and the other ended in a standing Forney, Michael Smoker, and Kim Stroeh high area. searched Bat Cave Hollow (MTNF, Oregon December 26-27: County) to follow up a lead from a County Dep- The Copperhead Cave (BNR) survey contin- uty Sheriff. They did locate the small cave, ued with a Boxing Day trip by Jeff Bartlett, which appears to have been used by a human Chad Holderfield, Sarah Holderfield, Kayla New inhabitant, hence the name, Hobo Home Cave. and Jeff Bridgman. Water levels in the cave

Mammoth Cave: April Expedition, April 17-19,2009 By: .Joyce Hoffmaster, Expedition Leader

Despite initial concerns about how the the breakdown at the end of Gratz A venue. evolving white nose syndrome guidelines would Armed with four sections of deer stand ladder affect our operations, the expedition happened. and two handlines, they knocked out the climb- Updated gear cleaning guidelines were distrib- ing leads. Only one to the right went to a series uted and no trips could be fielded outside the of three small domes before terminating for a Park, including any to Roppel. A total of 26 total of 60.4 ft of new survey. No leads remain persons attended and five parties were fielded. in this area. A party consisting of Tom Brucker, John A party led by Stan Sides and consisting of Kirk, and Greg Holbrook headed in the Austin Gary Berdeaux, Norman Warnell, Roger Entrance to Ruth's Room to continue a down- McClure, and Rick Williams headed off to stream W survey. Only four stations were set Floyd's Cave. for a total of 140.9 of new survey due to high The largest party was fielded in support of levels of cold water. Full are recom- the WKYU (PBS station in Bowling Green) high mended for continuation of this survey laying In -definition filming of P, Strange Falls. Rick 6 to 12 inches of water. Toomey, Elizabeth Winkler, Daniel Greger, A second party consisting of Bob Lodge, Micky Cundari, Shanni Fox, Dan Nolfi, Charles John Delong, and Tim Green were also bound Fox, Steve Ormeroid, and Dan Wilson all as- for Ruth's Room but dropped off to begin the sisted as sherpas and models. More importantly, resurvey of the drain at Cow Falls, due to they provided technical and safety support. A 2- difficulties of the trip leader. Here to-l haul system and a standing line were rigged too, copious cold water and a party unprepared in the Doyle Valley Entrance. Everyone, includ- for submersion cut the trip short after 94 feet of ing the WKU honors class and the WKYU film resurvey. An unsurveyed lead \\'35 noted in the crew, rappelled into the entrance and the gear wall opposite the drain. was lowered. Filming was successful, with P. A party consisting of Ann Kensler, Rick and Strange Falls running at a film-worthy high Chris Hoechstetter, and Judy Ormeroid went to level, and a large cave crayfish cooperated 15 nicely as a model on the exit trip. Ormeroid, vo lunteered to camp manage for me and fed all Greger. Toomey. and Nolfi ascended the stand- of us so plentifully and well. ing line. In the interests of time and comfort Cow Falls - Bob Lodge, John Delong, Tim Green; Ruth's levels of all the non-caving personnel, all others Room - Tom Brucker, John Kirk, Greg Holbrook; Gratz and the gear were hauled out. Avenue. Ann Kensler, Rick Hoechstetter, Chris Hoech- My deepest gratitude to all that helped me in stetter, Judy Ormeroid; P Strange Falls - Rick Toomey, Elizabeth Winkler, Dan Greger, Mickey Cundari, Shanni a myriad of ways, from planning, to key pro- Fox, Charles Fox, Dan Nolfi, Steve Ormeroid, Dan Wil- curement. cleaning up, and just being flexible. I son; Floyd's Can - Stan Sides, Gary Berdeaux, Norman am especially grateful to Rick Hoechstetter who Warnell, Roger McClure, John Feil, Richard Williams.

Mammoth Cave: Thanksgiving Expedition, November 25-29, 2009 By: Dave West. Dave West and Charles Fox, Expedition Leaders

The Thanksgiving expedition got off to a bit Steve and Judy Ormeroid, along with Dick Mar- of a rocky start when it was determined five ket picked up the previous survey and continued days prior that Jan Hemberger, one of the co- downstream to where the leapfrog team of Rick leaders, had been confirmed to have HI N I flu. Olson, Art and Peg Palmer, and Rick Toomey A quick pass of the duties \vas made to Dave had begun their survey downstream. Steve, West. who wasn't real healthy either. Fortu- Judy, and Dick then knocked off an upper level nately. Charles Fox agreed to assist. allowing that eventually tied back into the other survey Dave an additional day of rest prior to departing as well. These two parties brought back almost for Kentucky. The expedition was attended by 1600 feet of new survey. Certainly an exciting 35 people, and thirteen parties were fielded over area. Karen Willmes led Nicole Bull, Ashley the three days of caving. Four of these went to Gholson, and Elizabeth Winkler to Deike Trail Great Onyx, three to Crystal, two each to Colos- in Colossal Cave (using the Bedquilt entrance) sal and Mammoth, and one each to White Light- to continue the resurvey upstream. They stopped ning and Floyds. A total of2,321.! feet of new when sketcher burnout was imminent as they survey \vas accomplished, and 600.03 feet of reached an upper level. Dan Greger led Joyce resurvey was put in as well. Buz Grover de- Hoffmaster, Brandi Zinn, and Fred Wilkinson to lighted everyone with his culinary expertise; Great Onyx Cave where they surveyed 163 feet one of the highlights was a wonderful Thanks- in an upper level passage near the end of Cox giving dinner. Rick Hoechstetter provided Buz a A venue that had somehow been overlooked by respite from the kitchen. preparing his re- previous visitors, although this area does not nowned omelets on Saturday morning. see many. A high lead at the end remains. Thursdays trips were relatively short, since Charles Fox finally convinced a party to go to everyone wanted to be back in time for dinner. White Lightning Cave, taking James Sisson. Only three parties went out. Charles Fox led 'Flat' Matt Mezydlo, Tim Green, Pete Rogers, Fred Wilkinson, Henry Grover. and Betsy and Kevin Market to get a profile of the pit and Grover to Great Onyx to finish up a crawlway obtain additional data in the entrance area. below Cox Avenue, not realizing a trip during Saturday another five parties ventured off. the post-International Congress field camp had Art and Peg Palmer led Matt Mezydlo and already done it. Some of the group were inexpe- Nicole Bull to the Five Passages area in Crystal rienced. and a day of survey training was con- Cave where a bit of resurvey was followed by ducted in Cox Avenue. Art and Peg Palmer led almost 400 feet of new survey into a low crawl. Steve Ormeroid. Judy Ormeroid. and Brandi Joyce Hoffmaster led Dick Market and Rick Zinn to Crystal Cave to survey crawls beyond Hoechstetter into Bedquilt to an upper level just Scotchman's Trap. Steve, Judy, and Brandi re- beyond the Bat Crossing to finish up the survey placed an obsolete CA survey while Art and Peg there. Dave West led Karen Willmes, Fred began a resurvey of the K survey to which the Wilkenson, Kevin Market. Bob Lodge, and Tim other would eventually tie, using a tripod Green into Great Onyx with the plan of survey- mounted Brunton. While a higher level of accu- ing the Staircase Craw!, which Tom Brucker had racy with this method was found possible, it given a glowing report of accessibility from was not deemed worth the trade off in time re- Cox Avenue in October. Karen and Dave had quired in a crawlway. The rest of the K will re- been there in September with Joyce Hoffmaster, done with standard handheld methods. and had actually surveyed a tie-in of the two On Friday, five parties were fielded. Two of surveys in the joining passage. (Cartographer these continued exploration in the River Ach- Bob Gulden has since informed us that they ac- eron beyond Procrastination Pit in Mammoth. tually tied two hanging surveys together. Nei- 16 ther is connected to the main survey) Thinking A very successful expedition, despite the that Tom's group had found a way to squeeze challenges. Many thanks to all of those that through, the plan was to have one group turn pitched in to help around camp. Special thanks right in the crawl and the other left when the to Laura Grover for helping with the shopping junction was reached. It appears that Tom's re- and Henry Grover for staying up and helping the port may have been somewhat exaggerated. late parties sort out their meals. While some members felt they could squeeze Grellt Onyx Can' - I) Charles Fox, Fred Wilkinson. through, they were less sure of being able to Henry Grover, Betsy Grover; 2) Dan Greger, Joyce Hoff. return. Deciding it would be better to aCCeSS the master, Brandi Zinn, Fred Wilkinson; 3) Dave vVcst. crawl from the pit for which they had no rig- Karen Willmes, Fred Wilkinson, Kevin Market; 4) Bob Lodge, Tim Green; Crystal Can - I) StCVl: Ormaoid, ging, the plan was abandoned. Bob Lodge and Judy Ormeroid, Brandi Zinn; 2) Art Palmer, Peggy Tim Green had a need to leave early anyway, so Palmer; 3) Art Palmer, Peg Palmer, Matt Mczydlo, Nicole they departed and the remaining team went to Bull; Rin:r Achcrtlll - I) Rick Olson, Art Palmer, Peg the passage near the 90-foot pit that still needed Palmer, Rick Toomey; 2) Steve Ormeroid, Judy Ormeroitl. Dick Market; Whitl' Lightning. Charles Fox, James resurvey. They put in 1\\'0 stations before Karen Sisson, Matt Mezytllo, Tim Green, Pele Rogers. Kevin mutinied as it became a nat out belly crawl in Market; Uctlquill • I) Karen \l.,'illmcs, Nicule Bull. Ash- the stream, for which none were dressed. Nor- Icy Gholson, Elizabeth Winkler; 2) Joyce HoffmaSIl.'f. man Warnell led John Feil, Ashley Gholson, Dick Market, Rid Ilot:,hstetter; FluyLls Ca\'l' - ~ormall Warnell, John Feil, Ashley Gholson. Jamcs Sisson. Pctc James Sisson, Pete Rogers, and Doug Alderman Rogers, Doug Alderman to Floyds Cave to photo document some of the signatures and features present there.

Mammoth Cave: New Year's Expedition, December 31, 2009-January 3, 2010 By: Charles Fox, Expedition Leader

Our luck finally ran out on weather for the should only be done during the \veek-Iong expe- New Years Expedition. For the last several dition when more time is available. years, we'd been lucky and had unseasonably The second Thursday trip was a trip into the warm weather. That was certainly not true this Austin Entrance. Charles Fox led Dan Greger, year. On the bright side, while it was cold, we Joyce Hoffmaster, Steve Ormeroid, Judy Ormer- had little snow. oid, Ed Klausner, and Elizabeth Miller on a In spite of the cold, the expedition was at- route finding trip. Steve needed to learn the tended by 47 people, and 21 parties were fielded route to Ralph Stone Hall so he could lead a over the three days of caving. A total of survey team there later in the expedition. The 1016.07 feet of new survey and 1853.82 feet of team also learned the route to Turner Avenue in resurvey got done. case Mike Freeman's team ran into difficulties Our Camp Manager was Elizabeth Miller and needed support. Also, Columbian Avenue (assisted by Shirley Fox and a cast of 40+ will- was checked for signs of recent flooding, As ing cavers), who did the usual fine job of keep- suspected, it had been flooded very recently, so ing people fed and the expedition leader sane. no trips were sent to Eyeless Fish Trail. Rick Hoechstetter provided the kitchen staff On Friday, two teams consisting of John with a break from the kitchen, preparing his ex- Feil, Stan Sides, Roger Brucker, Gary Berdeaux, cellent breakfast omelets on Saturday and Sun- Norman Warnell, Jeff Bartlett, Dan Greger, Dan day mornings. Mandy Harris made herself use- Henry, Matt Mezydlo, Michael Carter, and Bob ful as well, helping out in the kitchen and serv- Hoke went to Floyd's Cave to resurvey' it and do ing as a general morning "go fer" for the expe- a detailed resource inventory. dition leader. John Delong led Kayla New and Mickey On Thursday, only two trips went out, but Cundari on a trip up Cow Falls in Pohl one of them didn't come back until Sunday Avenue via the Austin Entrance. They con- morning. Michael Freeman led Mark Andrich, cluded that future parties should have at least Josh Hafner, and Joe Williams into Unknown one of the positions of point or instrument Cave to bivouac and work in the remote reaches reader filled by very experienced and skinny of the Candlelight River area, The plan was to people. They also concluded that the rest of enhance safety and lessen impact on the cave this passage would better be done during the and still get a lot of work done. The trip was drier summer months. less productive than we hoped for the amount of Steve Ormeroid proved that he can remem- effort expended. The conclusion was these trips ber a cave route overnight by leading Judy Or- 17 meroid, Ann Kensler, and John Donahue to some survey put in. The larger members of the Ralph Stone Hall via the Austin Entrance where party (John and Rick) filled up the crack pretty they accomplished all their assigned objectives. well on the way out and had some difficulty to- Ed Klausner led Rick Olson and Jackie ward the top of the ascent. Jeff recommends Wheelan a survey trip into Robbins Run in the sending only people who are Bartlett-sized or Historic Section of Mammoth Cave. This pas- smaller, except for those who have done this sage is a recently relocated segment of passage climb before and feel confident that they can not entered since the Native American era, so repeat the experience. The party also noted that work here had waited until an archaeological a gale of freezing cold air was howling through evaluation was completed. At least a couple the cave near the entrance. hundred more feet remains to be surveyed. Stan Sides took Dan Henry, John Feil, Roger Dave West led a trip into the Bedquilt En- Brucker, and Ben Gallagher back to Floyd's trance consisting of Karen Willmes, Tim Green, Cave to tie the survey line to the brass cap and and Todd Matulnik. Upon arriving at the to finish the resource inventory. They were ac- (evidently aptly named) Otter Slide, Tim did a companied by a survey team led by Joyce Hoff- wonderful impersonation of an otter down the master, Dan Greger, Matt Mezydlo, and Tim slope and into the stream at the bottom. Several Green, who continued the survey of the side objectives were accomplished. but one was left canyon. The canyon continues on beyond where undone due to the inability of the party to levi- the survey ended, but is very tight (8 inches or tate. less). Matt Gaska also led a party into Bedquilt Bob Hoke took Marty Brown, Micky made up of Marty Brown, Ben Gallagher, and Cundari, and Jeff Bridgeman to probe a small Jeff Bridgeman. A couple of objectives were crawlway in the area of the Giant's Coffin in accomplished and the sketching duty was passed Mammoth. Marty immediately discovered that back and forth when the first sketcher didn't fit he didn't fit and remained above on the tourist past a tight spot. trail. This proved to be good planning: "After Lynn Brucker led Joyce Hoffmaster, Jeremy exiting the crawl we poked forward in low Reedy. and Brian Signorelli into Mammoth Cave breakdown to see what we were in for. After to Snail Trail where they accomplished some about 75 feet we saw a fist-size opening going survey while dodging pools of water that Lynn up through the breakdown with blackness above does not recall being there when she was there it. There was great joy. Almost immediately in the late 1970s. Beyond where the survey Marty called down through the hole and said we ended, the water was abundant and the outlook were looking back up into the main passage. grim. A return here should probably be saved The joy dissipated." Many artifacts from both for after a long dry spell. Native American and modern times were found Due to caver burnout and fatigue, Saturday as one might expect in a breakdown pile beneath was characterized by a severe shortage of the tourist trail. sketchers. Some larger parties were sent out Aaron Addison and Lynn Brucker worked in than was optimal, but a good time was had by Gothic Avenue conducting tests of the Iydar nearly all anyway. scanner. They returned with some interesting On Saturday morning, Bill Baus led Matt results that will potentially yield an exhibit for Gaska, Ryan Cox, and Michael Carter to Ingalls the Visitors' Center. Way via the Austin Entrance. Matt didn't fit at Finally, Dave West, Rick Olson, Coleen Ol- one point and Bill almost didn't, so some of the son, and Kitty Pup took a long surface hike, object ives were a bit out of reach. The party evaluating the old roads in the park for their also found a sandstone choke where one objec- potential for being developed as trails. In spite tive was described as being, so it may have col- of dodging a lot of deadfall from the previous lapsed at some point in the past. winter's ice storm, the prognosis for trails was Two parties were sent to Belfry Avenue in found to be good. Mammoth. The first, led by Ed Klausner, in- Much work was accomplished. As always, cluded Karen Willmes, John Donahue, Aly Si- many thanks to all of those that pitched in to gnorelli, and Nicole Bull. The second was led help around camp. Special thanks again to by Steve Ormeroid and include Judy Ormeroid, Elizabeth Miller, Shirley Fox and Rick Hoech- Jeremy Reedy, and Ashley Gholson. They stetter for keeping us well fed and to Rick Ol- spent the day surveying main Iy virgin cave. son for his help in dealing with the expedition Jeff Bartlett took Kayla New, John Delong, key and park paperwork. and Rick Hoechstetter into Proctor Cave to the Bivalve crack. With some cooperative effort, they found their way to the objective and got 18 Unknown Cave - Charles Fox, Dan Greger, Joyce Hoff- Karen Willmes, Tim Green, Todd Matulnik: 2) Matt master, Steve & Judy Ormeroid, Ed Klausner, Elizabeth Gaska, Marty Brown, Ben Gallagher, Jeff Bfldgeman: Miller; Candlelight River - Mchael Freeman, Mark An- Snail Trail - Lynn 8rucker, Joyce Hoffmaster, , Jcrcm} drich, Josh Hafner, Joe Williams; Floyds Can - I) John Reedy, Bryan Signorelli; Ingalls Way - Bill Baus, Ryan Feil, Roger Brucker, Gary Berdeaux, Norman Warnell; 2) Cox, Matt Goska, Michael Caner; lh'lfr)" A\'t:'IIUl' • I) Ed Jeff Bartlett, Dan Greger, Dan Henry, Bob Hoke; 3) Stan Klausner, Karen Willmes, John Donahue, Aly Signorelli. Sides, Matt Mezydlo, Michael Carter; 4) Stan Sides, Dan Nicole Bull; 2) Steve Ormeroid, Judy Ormeroid, .lerern} Henry, John Feil, Roger Brucker, Ben Gallagher; 5) Joyce Reedy, Ashley Gholson; Bivaln Buulrvard - Jeff Hart. Hoffmaster, Dan Greger, Matt Mezydlo, Tim Green; Cow lett, John DeLong, Kayla New, Rick Hoechstetler: Giants Falls - John Delong, Kayla New, Mickey Cundari; Ralphs Coffin - Bob Hoke, Marty Brown, Micky Cundari, Jeff River Trail ~ Steve Ormcroid, Judy Ormeroid, Ann Bridgman; Gothic Anllue ~ Aaron Addison, Lynn Kensler, John Donahue; Rubbins RUII - Ed Klausner, Brucker; Flint Ridge Surface llike . Dave West, Rick Rick Olson, Jackie Wheet; Bedquilt - I) Dave West, Olson, Colleen Olson, Kitty Pup.

2009 EXPEDITION CALENDAR

Before attending any expedition, you must contact the expedition leader as trip sizes may be limited. Failure to contact the leader may prevent you ITom attending the expedition as the trip may be full.

Eastern Operations -l\'1amrnoth Cave Schedule California - LlIv:I Beds Indcl}cndence Day, July 2-1 L Dave West and John DeLong, Before participating on any of these expeditions, we \'."'ouldprefer [email protected] or [email protected]. you contact the Operations Area Managers, Pat Helton and Bruce August, August 13-15. TBO. Rogers, at least two weeks before the expedition: Labor Day, September 3-6. Bob Osburn, [email protected]; (510) 301-2003. [email protected]. Please do not just show up as there may be limits on the number of Columbus Day, October 8-1 L Tom Brucker, [email protected]. participants we can accommodate. Thanksgiving, November 24-28. Phil DiBlasi and Jan Hember- ger, [email protected]. California - Lilburn Some basic rules of engagement for California expeditions: Con~ All Eastern Operations CRF members who have not attended an tact the expedition preferably two \\leeks ahead of time; please expedition safety orientation must do so before participating in don't spontaneously show up. We have to deal wilh head l.:ount expedition activities. The safety orientation is scheduled at the limits, particularly on our Lilburn trips, so we need to know who is beginning of each expedition after the morning meeting. Those planning to attend. who have attended a safety orientation are not required to partici- pate in another. New members should arrange to be at the expedi- IISS/CRF lIawai'j Caving - Big Island lion early enough to attend the orientation. Those who do not Contact Pat Kambcsis, 309.762-3860, attend will not be allowed to participate in expedition activities. [email protected]. Contact expedition leader for more details on the orientation. Carlsbad Caverns Cumberland Gal} Nationaillistorical Park Contact for all expeditions: Expeditions for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park are the Barbe Barker, [email protected]. last full weekend of each month except December. Contact: Mike May 28-31. Memorial Day. Crockett, [email protected]. September 3-6, Labor Day. November 24-27, Thanksgiving. Ozarks Contacts: Scott House, [email protected]. Mick Sutton and Sue Hagan, [email protected].

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS THE CRF WEBSITE If you have changed phone number (i.e., area www.cavc-rcsearch:,org code split), e-mail address, or have moved, please Contact your operations manager for the user send your information to: id and password for Ihe members-only section Phil DiBlasi of the site. PO Box 126 Louisville, KY 40201-0126 [email protected] CAVE BOOKS Publications Affiliate of the Cave Research Foundation WiNf cayebppks cgm ISBN' 9-939748 SAN' 216-7229 Sq' P/99 Mammoth Cave Map Card 1.75 CAVE BOOKS Publications Mammoth Cave Poster Map 350 Mammoth Cave Poster Map (Colleclor's Edition) 25.00 Bold Identifies NEW Publications Ogle Cave, Carlsbad Caverns N,P. 1.50 Bridgeman & South China Caves Eighth International Congress Poster (1981) 2.00 Lindsley 7.95 pb Brucker Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar Other Publishers Stephen Bishop at Ackerman The Moon by Whale Light 19.95 hb Mammoth Cave 21.95 hb, 15.95 pb Black I Don't Play Golf 12.95 hb Bulhll Rambles in Mammoth Cave 6.95 pb Borden & Brucker Beyond Mammoth Cave 59.95 hb, 29.95 pb Casteret Ten Years Under the Earth 11.95 pb Brucker & The Longest Cave (new edition) Chevalier Subterranean Climbers 7.95 pb R. Watson 26.95 hb, 21.95 pb Collins. H. & The Life and Death of Floyd Callot, F.-M. & Y. Photographier So us Terre 20.00 hb Lehrberger Collins 14.95 hb, 10.95 pb Carstens & Of Caves and Shell Mounds Conn & Conn The Jewel Cave Adventure 11.95 pb P. Watson 28.95 pb Courbon el al. Atlas: Great Caves of the World 21.95 pb Dasher On Station 17.00 hb Crowther et a1. The Grand Kentucky Junction Faust Saltpetre Mining in Mammoth (Si9ned by all7 authors, Ltd ed.) 100.00 pb Cave 5.95 pb Davidson & Bishop Wilderness Resources, MCNP 3.00 pb Finkel Going Under/Endurance, poems 9.95 pb DeJoly Memoirs of a Speleologist10.95 hb,7.95 pb Fletcher The Man from the Cave 9.50 hb Despain Hidden Beneath the Mountains: George Mammoth Cave Saltpeter Works 24.95 pb The Caves of Sequoia and George Mummies, Catacombs, and Kings Canyon National Parks 12.95 pb Mammoth Cave 16.50 pb Exley Caverns Measureless to Man George New Madrid Earthquake at 125.00 Ltd ed hb, 32.95 hb, 21.95 pb Mammoth Cave 3.00 pb Farr The Darkness Beckons 37.95 hb George Saltpeter & Gunpowder Farr Darkness Beckons: Supplement 4.25 pb Manufacturing in Kentucky 3.00 pb Heslop The Art of Caving 9.95 pb Griffin Listening in the Dark (Bats) 6.00 pb Lawrence & The Caves Beyond Gurnee Gurnee Guide to American Brucker 1595 pb Show Caves 19.95 pb McConnell Emergence, a novel 19.95 hb, 10.95 pb Halliday Floyd Collins of Sand Cave 495 pb Moore & Sullivan Speleology: Caves and the Cave Hemple & Conover On Call 28.00 pb Environment 16.95 pb Hill & Forti Cave Minerals of the World 70.00 hb Northup el al. A Guide to Speleological Literature Kerbo Batwings and Spider Eyes 8.00 pb of the English Language 1794-1996 Klimchouk et al. Speleogenesis 60.00 hb 34.95 hb, 24.95 pb Kurten The Cave Bear Story 9.95 hb Nymeyer Car!sbad, Caves, and a Camera 15 95 pb Lewis Carter Caves State Park 14.95 pb Oliphant Alpine Karst 2004, Vol. 1 14.00 pb Long Rock Jocks, Wall Rats, and Oliphant Alpine Karst 2006, Vol. 2 17.00 pb Hang Dogs 11.00 pb Oliphant Alpine Karst 2008, Vol. 3 19.00 pb McClurg Adventure of Caving 14.95 pb Olson Prehistoric Cavers of Murray & Brucker Trapped! The Floyd Collins Story 19.95 pb Mammoth Cave 6.95 pb Noswat Maws: Death in Big Cave National Olson & Hanion Scary Stories of Mammoth Cave 7.95 pb Monument 3.00 pb Palmer Cave Geology 42.95 hd Nowak Walker's Bats of the Wor1d 19.95 pb Reames et al Deep Secrets: The Discovery and NSF Ensueno Cave Study 5.00 pb Exploration of Lechuguilla Cave NSF Fountain N.P. Study 5.00 pb 32.95 hb, 24.95 pb Padgett & Smith On Rope 32.00 hb Sides Diamond Caverns: Jewel of Prosser & Grey Manual 32.95 pb Kentucky's Underground 4.95 pd Rea Caving Basics 19.00 pb Steele Huautla: Thirty Years in One of the Rother, H. & C. Lost Caves of St. Louis 9.95 pb World's Deepest Caves 24.95 hb Siffre Les Animaux des Gouffres Steele Yochib: The River Cave 10.95 pb et des Cavernes 7.95 hb Steward True Tales of Terror in the Simpson Sex, Lies, & Survey Tape 11.95 pb Caves of the World 10.95 pb Sloane Cavers, Caves and Caving 9.95 hb Watson, P. Archeology of the Mammoth Speleo Projects Lechuguilta, Jewel of the Cave Area 24.95 pb Underground 56.00 hb Watson, R Caving 3.00 pb Steward Tales of Dirt, Danger, and Watson, R. Under Plowman's Floor (reprint) 1295 pb Darkness 8.95 pb Watson, R. et al. CRF Origins and the First Twelve Stone & Ende Beyond the Deep 26.95 hp Years 1957.1968 12.00 pb Taylor Cave Passages 15.00 hb Willmes CRF Personnel Manual 10.00 pb Taylor Dark Life 12.00 hb, 11.00 pb Turner The Vampire Bat 10.00 hb CRF 1974.1978 Annual Reports 15.00 pb' Valli & Summers Shadow Hunters: The Nest CRF 1975.1976 Annual Reports 3.00 pb ea. Gatherers of Tiger Cave 24.95 hb CRF 1977 - 1980 Annual Reports 4.00 pb ea. Watson, P. Prehistory of Salts Cave 9.95 pb CRF 1981 - 1993 Annual Reports 5.00 pb ea. Watson, R. In The Dark Cave (Children) 5.95 pb CRF 1994 - 1997 Annual Reports 10.00 pb' Wefer Where the Sun Don't Shine 5.95 pb CRF 1998 - 2000 Annual Reports 10.00 pb' Williams Blue Crystal, a novel 19.95 hb CRF 2001 - 2003 Annual Reports 10.00 pb' CRF 2004 - 2005 Annual Reports 10.00 pb' Send Orders To: CRF 2006 - 2007 Annual Reports 12.00 pb' CAVE BOOKS, 4700 Ambcrwood Dr" Dayton, 011 45424 CRF CRF PIN (3.r ,fwme/er. emU/teled) 5.00 E-mail orders: [email protected] * = one volume Make checks payable to: CAVE BOOKS Poslage & /lalldlillg: $3,50 for the first book, $.75 for each Carlsbad Caverns 2.00 additional book. $4.00 for one to ten maps or map cards rolled in Kaemper Map of Mammoth Cave (ca. 1908) 3.50 one tube. (Outside USA - double postage). Lee Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park 4.00 , '

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